The future ofStar Warsis taking shape, and here are our predictions for the next five movies.Star Warsis generally seen as a movie franchise first and foremost, but it’s been relegated to the small screen for the last few years. Incredibly,there hasn’t been aStar Warsmovie since 2019’sRise of Skywalker.
But Lucasfilm is returning to the big screen next year, and the studio is under orders from Disney to ramp up the films. The Disney+ era has had mixed results forStar Wars- there have been hits likeThe Mandalorianseasons 1 and 2 and less successful shows likeThe Book of Boba Fett- but it’s undeniably left a lasting mark on the franchise.The next wave of movies will be inspired by everythingStar Warshas done since 2019.
We know twoupcomingStar Warsfilms. One has already wrapped production, meaning it’s certain to come out, and it’s likely to be a surefire hit. Here - inspired byThe Legacy Reader’s recent post on social media - are our predictions for the next fiveStar Warsmovies.
July 30, 2025
Confirmed Cast
Pedro Pascal, Sigourney Weaver, Jonny Coyne, Jeremy Allen White, Steve Blum
I admit, I had my concerns about this May 2026 release. I was particularly worried about how closeStar Warswas to the nextAvengersmovie; there have been problems in the past when Disney unwisely pitted their two biggest franchises against one another. Thankfully,Avengers: Doomsdayhas recently moved to Christmas 2026, givingThe Mandalorian and Grogua clear shot at dominating the box office.
We know precious little aboutThe Mandalorian and Grogu’s plot right now. Trailers seen at Star Wars Celebration and the like have confirmed Din Djarin is indeed working for the New Republic now, going head-to-head against the forces of the Imperial Remnant. Many speculate all this will feature the return ofGrand Admiral Thrawnas well.
Ryan Gosling, Mia Goth
On to another mystery project;Star Wars: Starfighter, a surprise announcement at this year’s Star Wars Celebration. Written by Jonathan Tropper and directed by Lucasfilm’s trusted friend Shawn Levy (ofStranger Thingsfame), this will introduce viewers to the post-sequel trilogy galaxy. It’s set five years afterThe Rise of Skywalker, making this uncharted territory for the franchise.
There’s a lot of pressure onStarfighter, which will come out inStar Wars' 50th anniversary year. Fortunately, Levy is assembling an all-star cast for what promises to be an epic in which Gosling’s mystery character - presumably a pilot - must protect a Force-sensitive kid from the dark forces that pursue them.
James Mangold’s Jedi Origin Movie
May 2028
Lucasfilm technically hasn’t booked any slots after May 2027, but we’re assumingStar Warsis settling into a new pattern. If that’s the case, I think it’s likely the nextStar Warsmovie will be James Mangold’s “Dawn of the Jedi” project. Set 25,000 years before the Skywalker saga, this will apparently be the story of the first Force-sensitives. As Mangold explained:
“For me, it’s about, I want to be part of the saga, but I also don’t want to be holding so much lore in the air that you can hardly tell a story. And what I really wanted to do, what I told her, was just can we make a kind of theTen Commandmentsof the Force, you know? A kind of origin story of how the Force came to be known, understood, wielded, and harnessed.”
Latest reports have suggested this project is taking shape, which makes me think this is the one that will begin production afterStarfighter. I can’t help looking to this with a degree of trepidation; theStar Warsfandom doesn’t always respond well to discussions of Force lore, so this could be very controversial.
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley’s triumphantStar Warsreturn was announced back at Star Wars Celebration 2023. Lucasfilm currently plan for Ridley to star in a “New Jedi Order” project bySharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, withBourne Ultimatumscribe George Nolfi currently working on a script.
Plans may well change, though. Simon Kinberg is working on a script for an entire trilogy, one that will serve as the backbone for the saga going forwards. I wouldn’t be surprised if Obaid-Chinoy’s New Jedi Order movie gets shelved, with Ridley instead starring in an entire trilogy. Either way, I’m still penciling in Rey’s return for 2029, though.
The Climax Of The Mandalorian Era
May 2030
Finally, we’re going to go out on a wroshyr limb and predict Dave Filoni’s “Heir to the Empire” movie for 2030. Also announced at Star Wars Celebration 2023, this promises to serve as the climax of the entireMandalorianera. Most assume it will wrap up the Grand Admiral Thrawn story that began inAhsokaseason 1. That said, don’t be surprised if plans change here, and this becomes where we get aMandalorian and Grogusequel as another step on the journey to that climax.
Most viewers are referring to this as “Heir to the Empire,” as it will essentially serve as a big screen reimagining of the classic (non-canon) novel by legendaryStar Warsscribe Timothy Zahn. If so, as a lover of those books, I have to say this is most definitely theStar Warsmovie I am most eagerly anticipating.
